VC Star July 20, 2024 I love my landscape, but it seems important to prepare for drought and fire danger. That is why I use mulch to maintain soil moisture and prevent weeds, and I keep the mulch at least 5 feet away from the walls of my house. About six months ago, I also…
July 10, 2024 Promoting “Plastic Free July,” the website of the Plastic Free Foundation (www.plasticfreejuly.org) issues challenges, requests pledges of action, claims to have “inspired” over 100 million people and promises that “you making a small change will collectively make a massive difference in our communities.” In a countervailing trend, “the global plastics market size…
VC Star June 29, 2024 This Independence Day, some lucky Americans will attend celebrations that not only express the joy of our country’s independence but also show special patriotic consideration for our veterans, our beloved pets and the American environment. This special consideration will be delivered by drones, and Santa Paula is one place where…
VC Star June 15, 2024 Commerce moves on pallets. Those plastic or wood platforms, with side notches for lifting by forklifts, are essential for storing inventory, moving bulky items and shipping products. Following a spike in demand for pallets to accommodate the frenetic pace of shipping consumer goods during the pandemic, businesses have been steadily…
VC Star June 8, 2024 Last weekend, as my kids were playing in our front yard, an old Toyota Camry parked at the curb near them was idling. Concerned about the emissions and curious why someone would be crouched down in the front seat of a car with its engine on in front of my…
VC Star May 25, 2024 Last week was Public Works Week, and at the Ventura County Government Center on Wednesday more than 1,300 students from local schools throughout the county visited dozens of booths and displays, many of which were focused on the environment. The county’s Integrated Waste Management Division, where I work, set up…
I was skeptical as I watched hundreds of loud and rowdy elementary school kids bounce into the school cafeteria of Rio Real School in Oxnard last Tuesday. My skepticism grew as the students packed in tightly to on-floor seating while teachers retreated to standing positions in the rear of the room. How could a message…
VC Star April 13, 2024 Breakthrough technologies and innovative programs often start as pilot projects. When the project serves a public purpose, public agencies sometimes provide incentives. Two upcoming events, coordinated by the Ventura County Recycling Market Development Zone, provide examples and show public agency support on the city, county, state and federal levels. The…
VC Star March 30, 2024 At EarthDay.org, which bills itself as the global organizing hub of the “world’s largest environmental movement,” an announcement proclaims this year’s Earth Day theme, “Planet versus Plastics.” Organizers are “demanding a 60% reduction in the production of plastics by 2040 and an ultimate goal of building a plastic-free future for…
Waste Advantage March 14, 2024 Responsible for managing SB 1383 compliance on behalf of unincorporated Ventura County, the Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) has contracted with Abound Food Care, an Orange County-based food recovery organization, to implement a regional food recovery program on behalf of the County of Ventura and the cities of Camarillo,…